Living in a Stressed Out World

The problem facing many Americans today is the challenge of dealing with anxiety. How does one continue to function as a productive member of society, while also learning to cope with their own anxiety? We live in a country, heck a world, of increased stress and along with increased stress comes an acute feeling of angst that can at times seem crippling. An ever increasing number of people are reporting that they experience issues of anxiety which have an adverse effect on their way of life. The bad news is that the issues which serve as an incubator for anxiety -- a struggling economy, a world at war, a lagging housing market, media's need to promote hysteria, and so on, and so on, and so forth -- probably aren't going away tomorrow. The good news however is that there are steps you can take to better deal with the anxiety that plagues you.

Many people would probably love to return to a simpler time when the country moved a bit slower and every channel on the television didn't serve as a constant reminder of the dangers lurking around every corner. A time when we were in awe of our politicians, wrapped our rabbit-ear TV antenna in tin foil so we could watch the trusted evening news, and when it seemed that Elvis Presley and the Beatles were the most salacious hooligans that our children would ever have to endure. Like it or not, those days are gone . . . and would you really want to go back anyway? Remember there were no Iphones, no internet, no hybrid automobiles, less vaccines, fewer advances in healthcare, shorter lifespans, and many of the miraculous medicines that help to cure or manage horrific diseases had yet to be discovered. What we often forget but are reminded of in the immortal words Billy Joel, a musician who back in the day probably would have been considered every bit as salacious as Elvis or John Lennon, but by today's standards seems pretty tame, is that -- "the good old days weren't always good and tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems."

The fact is that for better or worse there is no turning back. The future is now and along with the progress of the future comes a life wrought with added stress and increased issues of anxiety. The key is learning to deal with and manage the anxiety in our lives and here are a few tips that may be helpful in doing so:

1) Seek the help of a psycho-therapy professional who can utilize their professional and/or medical expertise to manage your anxiety and get you back to living your life. Psychologists and psychiatrists are uniquely capable of getting you prepared to deal with a reality where anxiety is merely a hurdle and not an albatross.

2) Consult with you personal physician or psychiatrist to see if prescription medicine might offer some relief from the issues of anxiety that plague your mind. Obviously this is not the answer in many cases but sometimes anxiety can become so severe that medication is a necessary measure in order to obtain relief.

3) Develop an exercise routine that can help not only to burn off excess energy and stress that leads to anxiety but also to put us more in touch with the physiological functioning of our body so that we can put symptoms of anxiety such as sweating, increased heart rate, and rapid breathing into a proper context.

4) Remember to breathe when stressful situations arise.It is important that the body is able to process oxygen properly so that we can maintain a clear train of thought and clear cognitive function during anxious moments. Breathing shallowly or hyperventilating will cut off oxygen and blood to the brain and other vital organs and lead to increased anxiety. Taking deep breaths and concentrating on our breathing will help to maintain equilibrium during high stress encounters.

5) Start incorporating meditation or yoga into your daily or weekly routine. Both meditation and yoga can be challenging for beginners but over time they have both proven to be amongst the very best "medicine" for people struggling to deal with issues related to anxiety.

6) Cutback on or eliminate caffeine from your daily diet of consumption. It is a medical fact that caffeine raises anxiety levels in human beings. Therefore reducing the intake of caffeine in the form of coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks, and the like will help to keep certain anxiety spikes at bay.

7) Remember that though you may have come into this world all alone, you don't remain that way throughout your life. You have family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and acquaintances who surround you everyday. This is your support network and often they can be a life raft in times of trouble. Discuss the issues that are plaguing you with the people in your life. More often than not, talking things out can help reduce anxiety. Don't be afraid to lean on your support network and you'll often find that the things making you anxious are the same things we all worry about each and every day.